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Friday, December 3, 2010

An update on PLT, Power Line Telecommunications, in Europe.

Power Lines

Image by Manu_H via Flickr

Sometimes referred to as PLN (Power Line Networking), PLA (Power Line Adaptor), PLC(Power Line Carrier), or here in the US, BPL (Broadband over Power Line), the technology enables the distribution of digital communications through conventional power lines, making it easy to setup communications networks without the need to rewire, or use radio transmitters. As data rates of these devices increase, so does the potential for interference, thus much work is being done by stakeholders to develop uniform methods by which to assess products with this technology for compliance with the EMC directive, and prevent unwanted interference of incumbent services.

The CLC/ Technical Committee 210 on electromagnetic compatibility (or TC210) established a working group (WG11) to produce a two-part standard for emission requirements for PLT apparatus of all types, as follows:

EN 50XXX-1 Power line telecommunications modems - Radio disturbance characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement - Part 1: Modems for in-house networks

EN 50XXX-2 Power line telecommunications modems - Radio disturbance characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement - Part 2: Modems for access networks

A draft document for Part 1 has been prepared by TC210/WG11,

The document is being set for a 3 month enquiry under what is called the Unique Acceptance Procedure, or UAP, and then given over to WG 11 for update if necessary. After this, it will be issued for a 2 month vote.

Following is some background on the controversy over PLT.

Currently, no separate harmonized standard exists for testing PLT product specifically. Certain classes of PLT are incapable of complying with current emissions limits as is, thus; some manufacturers have been looking to EU Notified Bodies, some of which have been prescribing the use of alternative draft standards for testing purposes. Manufacturers have a couple of options for EMC compliance, one is a self certification, test and comply with harmonized standards and issue a declaration of such. A second method, when harmonized standards don’t exist or are not able to be applied, is to perform an EMC assessment and prepare a Technical Construction File, usually in consultation with a Notified Body, seeking the opinion of the Notified Body, to support claims of compliance with the essential requirements of the EMC directive. The bottom line however is that in the end, the product must comply with the essential requirements of the EMC directive, which is that, “the electromagnetic disturbance generated does not exceed the level above which radio and telecommunications equipment or other equipment cannot operate as intended”

An independent study, commissioned and published by Ofcom, the UK communications regulator responsible for enforcing aspects of the EMC regulations within the UK, was designed to examine the likelihood and extent of interference from PLT devices. This study was formed mainly due to claims that the use of PLC technology is disruptive to incumbent services, and, as a result, has attracted the attention of stakeholders, most notably, the amateur radio community and shortwave listeners.

As a result of this study, Ofcom advises that the conclusions indicate that the incorporation of mitigation techniques is important for the future of PLT technology. Ofcom expressed its concern that manufacturers should incorporate these features, to provide long term protection to the radio spectrum, and minimize potential for interference. The study can be found via Ofcom’s stakeholder web page

Controversy exists on whether mitigation techniques, such as smart notching or automatic level control go far enough to protect incumbent services. Real concern exists in the amateur radio community that many products on the market now do not implement mitigation techniques at all, and therefore are currently posing a problem for the amateur radio and shortwave listeners. The amateur radio community has been lobbying Ofcom, as the responsible authority for EMC enforcement within the UK, to remove such products from the marketplace. The Radio Society of Great Britain, or RSGB, has established a “Spectrum Defense Fund” to, as indicated in a Feb 2010 statement, “combat the threat of PLT/PLA”, as well as for the general protection of the spectrum for the amateur radio community.

For more information on harmonized standards for the EU, please visit http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm

To subscribe to updates via email, visit our main page at http://www.celectronics.com


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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

EMC List of Harmonized standards published

Test Chamber

Image by CmdrFire via Flickr

An updated list of harmonized standards under 2004/108/EC, the EMC directive, has been published in the Official Journal of The European Union.

Find a copy of this list, along with updated lists for the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC, Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC, Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC, and ERC Recommendation 70-03 relating to the use of Short Range Devices, at http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm

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Friday, October 8, 2010

Deadline for >1GHz + Telecom line emissions testing passes for Taiwan

Map of TaiwanImage via WikipediaAs of October 1st, 2010, Information Technology Equipment (ITE), multimedia equipment (which is tested as ITE) and similar products (HS: Chapter 84& 85) are subject to mandatory inspection and shall comply with the requirements for radiated disturbance above 1 GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports of CNS 13438.

Following is a re-post of the BSMI bulletin regarding these new requirements. 

Products (HS/CCCN codes) covered and their applicable inspection standards:
Information technology equipment, multimedia equipment and similar products (HS: Chapter 84& 85)
that are already announced to be subject to mandatory inspection.


Related requirements:
1. Starting from October 1, 2010, the above-mentioned regulated products that are also required to comply with the requirements concerning radiated disturbance above 1GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports of CNS 13438 (hereinafter as the legal inspection items).

2. The above-mentioned testing items are applicable to products that have internal emission sources utilizing frequencies more than and including 108MHz and / or telecommunication ports such as Information Technology Equipment (ITE), multimedia equipment and similar equipment that are tested to comply with CNS 13438.

3. Starting from the implementation date, products covered in this notice shall comply with the requirements of radiated disturbance above 1GHz, and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports in CNS 13438 when the application for the Registration of Product Certification (RPC) or Type Approval (TA) certificate is submitted to the BSMI. The BSMI will accept such applications complying with the above-mentioned testing items starting from the date of adoption of the notice. When the BSMI completes the review procedure and approves the application, a certificate will be issued and the applicable inspection standard column will be additionally stated “complete 2006 version.”

4. For those products that have been certified before the date of implementation, the certificates that are issued without implementation of the above-mentioned testing items will remain valid until the date of expiration, provided that the products, including the main model, are not modified. For products that the additional testing above 1GHz and/or conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports are required to be performed, the certificates may be used until the expiry date and the certificate holders may not apply for extension of validity of that certificate. For products to which the additional testing above 1GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports are not applicable, the certificate holders may apply for extension of validity of the certificate.

5. For product certificates that are issued without implementation of the above-mentioned testing items, application for adding series models are acceptable before the date of implementation. Such certificates may be used until the expiry date and the certificate holders may not apply for extension of validity of that certificate. If the main model and series models of a certificate are tested and comply with the above-mentioned testing items, the certificate holder may apply for a new certificate. The term of validity of the new certificate will be 3 years and the applicable inspection standard column will be additionally stated “complete 2006 version.”

6. When applying for adding series models that intend to comply with the above-mentioned testing items, all the existing main model and series models of the certificate shall be tested and comply with the same requirements. A new certificate will be issued at the same time for such applications. 

7. Starting from the date of implementation, for products to which the above-mentioned testing items are applicable and the applicable inspection scheme is Declaration of Conformity, the obligatory inspection applicant shall have their products tested to comply with the complete test requirements, and re-declare the conformity (re-issue the declaration of conformity) according to the relevant regulations before putting the product onto the market.

If you require testing to these new requirements, please contact Compatible Electronics, Inc.

Monday, September 27, 2010

First significant release of unlicensed spectrum in 25 years!

Logo of the United States Federal Communicatio...Image via WikipediaFCC frees spectrum for "Super Wi-Fi", wireless microphones, and other innovations.
On Thursday Sept.23rd, the FCC took steps to free up the so called "white spaces", vacant spectrum between television channels.

Chairman Julius Genachowski sighted that the focus was on unlicensed spectrum, commenting on the opportunities to innovators and entrepreneurs. In a statement released by the commission, Chairman Genachowski continues by commenting on the importance of the unlicensed spectrum to the future of our National Broadband Plan.

“The new unlicensed spectrum will be a powerful platform for innovation”, said Chairman Genachowski. The Chairman gave an example of the results of the release of the so-called “Junk band” years ago, and the wave of new technology that followed, utilizing the newly released spectrum, particularly the evolution of the multi-billion (dollar) Wi-Fi industry.
 
The first major application for the newly released spectrum, says the Chairman, is "Super Wi-Fi". The new Wi-Fi boasts longer range, faster speeds, and more reliable connections.

In a related release, Commissioner Michael J. Copps commended Julie Knapp and his team at the Office of Engineering and Technology for “confronting the hard questions head on”, and bringing the commission “an item that provides a technologically-sound way forward”.

Commissioner Copps continues, in the statement, by recognizing the importance of licensed wireless microphones, particularly to news gathering, as well as the recognition of the dependencies upon wireless microphones of other venues such as Broadway Theaters, sports arena, and churches. Commisioner Copps indicated that two reserved channels will be set aside nationwide, for the use of wireless microphones.

The adopted order eliminates the requirement that TV band devices that incorporate geo-location and database access must also include sensing technology to detect the signals of TV stations and low-power auxiliary service stations (wireless microphones). Furthermore, it requires wireless microphone users who seek to register in the TV bands databases to certify that they will use all available channels from 7 through 51 prior to requesting registration. Requests to register in the database will be public, thus allowing interested parties to weigh in on any given request.

Read the FCC Press Release.

Monday, July 12, 2010

EN 55013, QP vs RMS

An analog TV showing noise, on a channel with ...Image via Wikipedia
The EU Commission is holding off publication of the CENELEC standard, EN 55013: 2009, in the official journal, as a result of a negative opinion of the EMC CENELEC consultant.

Publication in the official journal is a required step for any standard to be considered a harmonized standard, for the purpose of conformity assessment, under new approach directives, in this case, the European EMC directive.

The published harmonized version, as of March 1, 2009, is EN 55013: 2001 +A2 2006.

The point of contention with EN 55013: 2009, is the introduction of an RMS average limit.

Traditionally, measurements are based on a Quasi Peak limit, and made using a “Quasi Peak” detector. Legitimate debates continue regarding the suitability of the specified Quasi Peak detector based system for high frequency measurements, or for gauging interference caused to modern digital systems. See Practical Paper “The Quasi-Peak Detector” By Edwin L. Bronaugh for more about the QP detector.

The consultant points out that the proposed RMS average limit offers a “major relaxation of the limits, up to 20dB”, and contends that protection of analog services will be significantly reduced.

The question that the commission is looking to answer now is what effect this limit change will have on equipment using analog technology, as it is assumed that newer digital equipment has a higher tolerance for increased interference levels.

The commission is seeking the EMC working group delegate’s input by August 23, 2010 on whether or not the new standard adequately protects the essential requirements of the EMC directive.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Radio module integration and R&TTE compliance

Wireless UFO?Image by jepoirrier via Flickr

Compliance with the EU Radio and Telephone Terminal Equipment directive (R&TTE) is compulsory for radio devices. The responsibility for compliance is placed clearly on the manufacturer of the device. When integrating a radio module into a completed product, the integrator then becomes the “manufacturer” of the radio device. The underlying basis for this is that the integration of the two products can affect final compliance with the directive.

Technical reports from ETSI, ETSI TR102 070 parts 1 and part 2, give guidance related to the integration of radio modules into final product, already assessed for EMC, and the application of harmonized standards. These documents, together with the directive, form the basis of guidance notes developed by R&TTE notified bodies for the assessment of product to the directive.

In all cases, assessments must be made for compliance with R&TTE directive article 3.1(a), and 3.1(b). These articles cover Safety and EMC, respectively.

According to a quote in the guidance document;

“Assessed radio modules installed in equipment in conformance with the manufacturer's installation instructions require no further evaluation under Article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive and do not require further involvement of an R&TTE Directive Notified Body for the final product. In all other cases, or if the manufacturer of the final product is in doubt then the equipment integrating the radio module must be assessed against Article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.”

ETSI Technical Report ETSI TR102 070-2, describes several applications of the above with different product configurations.

When the integration of a particular module does require assessment by a notified body, the technical documentation for the radio module will need to be reviewed by the NB, if not available, the NB may request this information from the radio module manufacturer. The NB may be unable to issue an opinion without this information. The integrator should ensure that the module manufacturer is willing to provide this information to the NB; however, the final Technical Construction File is not required to include the radio module manufacturer’s proprietary information. Furthermore, the final product integrator is cautioned to ensure that they know the build status of the integrated module.

The R&TTE guidance document also covers technical documentation, notification to national authorities, and marking requirements.

The full guidance document can be downloaded here http://www.rtteca.com/TGN01Rev4.pdf


Be sure to visit http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm for more information related to EU regulatory compliance.


UPDATE: part II available covering EMC considerations - 

Radio module integration and R&TTE compliance, EMC evaluation

Friday, June 4, 2010

Corrigendum issued to the March list of EMC Harmonised Standards

Worn out European Union blue flagImage by Horia Varlan via Flickr
A Corrigenda was recently published to the March 19, 2010 list of harmonized standards under the EMC directive 2004/108/EC.


Please visit the Compatible Electronics European Conformity Assessment page to get a copy; http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Harmonized Standards List Updated 3/2010 – EMCD & LVD

New lists of harmonized standards for the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Of note, this revision now includes inline explanatory comments. Brief explanations have been added to certain line items, line items that could prove to be confusing without them, an example of one is for EN 55022, which reads;
" Each of the four following standards provide presumption of conformity until 1.10.2011: EN 55022:1998, EN 55022:1998 + A1:2000, EN 55022:1998 + A2:2003, EN 55022:1998 + A1:2000 + A2:2003"
It's refreshing to see that these clarifications are being added. This will hopefully make interpreting which harmonized standards are applicable much easier, for the average compliance engineer. Although, nothing is ever perfect and one should contact an expert if in doubt.
By the way, for those of you reading this on the West side of the "Pond", the date in the above quote is October 1st, 2011 and not January 10th, 2011.
Copies of the new lists can be found  in the European Conformity Assessment section of the Compatible Electronics, Inc. conformity assessment web page.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

List of ETSI 301 489 EMC standards applicable under article III 1.(b) of 1999/5/EC ( R&TTE Directive ).

This is a flat list of the ETSI 301 489 series test standards. For more information on any of these, visit http://pda.etsi.org/pda/queryform.asp for a direct search on the ETSI site. This list and other R&TTE related material is available on the Compatible Electronics European Conformity Assessment page.

ETSI EN 301 489-1 Common Technical requirements
ETSI EN 301 489-2 Specific conditions for radio paging equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-3 Specific conditions for Short-Range Devices (SRD) operating on frequencies between 9 kHz and 40 GHz
ETSI EN 301 489-4 Specific conditions for fixed radio links, Broadband Data Transmission System Base stations, ancillary equipment and services
ETSI EN 301 489-5 Specific conditions for Private land Mobile Radio (PMR) and ancillary equipment (speech and non-speech)
ETSI EN 301 489-6 Specific conditions for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-7 Specific conditions for mobile and portable radio and ancillary equipment of digital cellular radio telecommunications systems (GSM and DCS)
ETSI EN 301 489-8 Specific conditions for GSM base stations
ETSI EN 301 489-9 Specific conditions for wireless microphones, similar Radio Frequency (RF) audio link equipment, cordless audio and in-ear monitoring devices
ETSI EN 301 489-10 Specific conditions for First (CT1 and CT1+) and Second Generation Cordless Telephone (CT2) equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-11 Specific conditions for terrestrial sound broadcasting service transmitters
ETSI EN 301 489-12 Specific conditions for Very Small Aperture Terminal, Satellite Interactive Earth Stations operated in the frequency ranges between 4 GHz and 30 GHz in the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS)
ETSI EN 301 489-13 Specific conditions for Citizens' Band (CB) radio and ancillary equipment (speech and non-speech)
ETSI EN 301 489-14 Specific conditions for analogue and digital terrestrial TV broadcasting service transmitters
ETSI EN 301 489-15 Specific conditions for commercially available amateur radio equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-16 Specific conditions for analogue cellular radio communications equipment, mobile and portable
ETSI EN 301 489-17 Specific conditions for Broadband Data Transmission Systems
ETSI EN 301 489-18 Specific conditions for Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-19 Specific conditions for Receive Only Mobile Earth Stations (ROMES) operating in the 1,5 GHz band providing data communications
ETSI EN 301 489-20 Specific conditions for Mobile Earth Stations (MES) used in the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS)
ETSI EN 301 489-22 Specific conditions for ground based VHF aeronautical mobile and fixed radio equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-23 Specific conditions for IMT-2000 CDMA Direct Spread (UTRA) Base Station (BS) radio, repeater and ancillary equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-24 Specific conditions for IMT-2000 CDMA Direct Spread (UTRA) for Mobile and portable (UE) radio and ancillary equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-25 Specific conditions for CDMA 1x spread spectrum Mobile Stations and ancillary equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-26 Specific conditions for CDMA 1x spread spectrum Base Stations, repeaters and ancillary equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-27 Specific conditions for Ultra Low Power Active Medical Implants (ULP-AMI) and related peripheral devices (ULP-AMI-P)
ETSI EN 301 489-28 Specific conditions for wireless digital video links
ETSI EN 301 489-29 Specific conditions for Medical Data Service Devices (MEDS) operating in the 401 MHz to 402 MHz and 405 MHz to 406 MHz bands
ETSI EN 301 489-31 Specific conditions for equipment in the 9 kHz to 315 kHz band for Ultra Low Power Active Medical Implants (ULP-AMI) and related peripheral devices (ULP-AMI-P)
ETSI EN 301 489-32 Specific conditions for Ground and Wall Probing Radar applications
ETSI EN 301 489-33 Specific conditions for Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communications devices

Thursday, March 4, 2010

IECEE Battery Ruling

A battery charger
Image via Wikipedia
An issue was brought to the attention of the IECEE regarding CB Certificates for products containing secondary cells (Lithium Ion Battery cells) that are certified to UL 1642 as well as Secondary Battery Packs certified to UL 2054.
These UL standards are not harmonized with the IEC 62133 – “Secondary Cells And Batteries Containing Alkaline Or Other Non- Acid Electrolytes - Safety Requirements For Portable Sealed Secondary Cells, And For Batteries Made From Them, For Use In Portable Applications.”
After deliberation the IECEE issued a ruling indication that a CB Certificate could not be issued for products containing secondary cells that were not in compliance with IEC 62133. However as most secondary cells are currently certified only to UL standards, a phase in period was established.
At the time of this writing, the phase in time table is as follows;
Currently
  • CB Certificates can stand as issued. Note that CB Certificates need to be renewed every 3 years.
New certificates, Until June 2010
  • CB Certificates can continue to be issued using the UL standards for secondary cell certification.
New certificates, June 2010 thru June 2011
  • CB Certificates can be issued using the UL standards for secondary cell certification, if additional testing is conducted on the secondary cells to show compliance to IEC 62133.
After June 2011
  • Secondary cells must have a CB Certificate showing compliance with IEC 62133 to be accepted in an end product evaluation for CB Certification.
There is a good possibility that this time table will be adjusted to allow battery manufacturers time to get secondary cells tested and CB Certification issued.
UL has indicated that they will start the process to harmonize there requirements with IEC 62133.
What does this mean to you and me?
The real effect on most of us is that we will need to move to have our battery suppliers get third party certification on the secondary cells we are using. Otherwise we cannot self certify to the Harmonized EN Standard (EN60950-1, EN61010-1, EN60335-1, EN60065, EN60204-1, etc.) and it will become increasingly difficult to get our products NRTL Listed.
Article by Ercell Bryant, please visit Compatible Electronics on the web.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

is EMI to blame for recent Toyota problems?

News outlets and internet blogs abound this week with stories speculating that the problems with some reported out of control vehicles may be related to EMI.

Anyone involved with Electromagnetic Compatibility will recognize that given the proliferation of technology in today’s automobiles, the conditions do exist for catastrophic failure of sensitive systems, and the potential is high for injury or death if such systems fail.

In traditional “analog” systems, these failures would tend to manifest in the form of glitches, or other minor system anomalies. Problems have been reported in the past with CB radio systems causing the electronic fuel injection to fail, causing the car to stall. More recently, and as systems are becoming more advanced, problems have been reported that cell phone calls have interfered with sensors causing the inadvertent operation of breaking systems.

In some of today’s vehicles however, with technology so advanced and systems so integrated into every aspect of the vehicles operation, it is virtually complete “fly-by-wire”. One can imagine the potential for disaster. Several groups exist that contain engineers devoted to such “imagination”, such as the SAE International, the IEEE and the ISO/IEC to name a few. Today, all major automakers have internal production controls and standards focused on Electromagnetic Compatibility, and most have been testing vehicles and systems for a couple of decades.

With many consumer electronic devices finding their way into the automobile, as well as cell phones and wireless headsets, the potential for interference is ever increasing. Automakers will need to address an ever changing EM environment.

With cost cutting measures driving the market, component suppliers are faced with tough decisions as to the extent of testing for product off the assembly. EMC testing is expensive, and testing everything that rolls off the line is impracticable. Some find, that one sample tested, is suitable to represent hundreds of thousands of units. Others may find that outsourcing testing can save thousands of dollars, but the tradeoff here is that these labs may not operate under the same tight controls as local accredited test labs, so the uncertainty in the results may be too high.

It is in fact not possible to know if EMI is the cause of a particular incident without extensive research and testing, it would seem that the phenomenon would be on the short list of suspects for now, however.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Antenna Calibration Procedure

The wave reflected by earth can be considered ...
Image via Wikipedia
The office of Engineering and Technology, Laboratory Division, released a public draft review regarding proper antenna calibration procedure.
The document answers the question;
“What procedure should be used to calibrate antennas used to make radiated emission measurements and normalized site attenuation (NSA) measurements”?
According to the public draft review, the revised ANSI standard, ANSI C63.5-2006 provides the proper procedure and is based on a horizontally polarized measurement performed on a standard antenna calibration site at a 10 meter distance.
Antenna factors collected in this manner can then be used for vertical or horizontal measurements at distances of 3 meters or more.
OET DRAFT FOR REVIEW

Monday, February 1, 2010

Company fined $10k for impacting weather radar near San Juan airport

Map of the Bermuda Triangle
Image via Wikipedia
Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) serving San Juan International Airport received interference adjacent to 5.61GHz, source tracked by FCC and FAA agents to radio transmitters providing wireless internet atop a nearby building.
The company responsible for the interference was issued a forfeiture order by the FCC enforcement bureau in the amount of $10,000. While the company used equipment that had been previously certified under the FCC rules for UNII operation, the equipment causing interference was operating on frequencies that it had not been approved for. Moreover, if the transmitters would be considered non-UNII devices and subject to section 15.407(2) of the FCC rules, then the power allowed would have been limited to ¼ Watt in that particular frequency band, however, the devices in question were designed to operating in excess of three times that level.
The full FCC forfeiture order can be found at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-138A1.pdf.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

FCC Issues report and order revising rules for the 698-806 MHz Band

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 21:  Federal Communicat...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife
The 698 to 806 MHz band is the band typically used by low power auxiliary stations and wireless microphones. A report and order revising these rules is available on the FCC web site.
In a statement, also available on the FCC web site, Chairman Julius Genachowski said;
“Today the Commission is taking necessary and essential action to complete the digital television transition, by requiring wireless microphone users to exit the 700 MHz Band by June 12, 2010. Our decision will accelerate the buildout of 4G wireless networks, and will prevent interference with first responders who rely on the 700 MHz Band for mission-critical communications.”
While wireless microphones and other devices currently using the band must discontinue operation no later than June 12th, 2010, sale and import of new devices will be prohibited as soon as the rules are publish in the Federal Register.

FCC Enforcement Bureau issues statement on Enforcement Advisories

Logo of the United States Federal Communicatio...

Image via Wikipedia

On January 15, 2010, Michele Ellison, Chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau made a statement on the launch of a new initiative with respect to “Enforcement Advisories”.

This would seem to indicate that the FCC will be more aggressive with respect to enforcement moving forward, as evident by this quote from the statement;

“While most companies and individuals take their regulatory obligations seriously, some appear unaware of what the Commission’s rules require or choose not to comply. The Enforcement Bureau will continue to work proactively to bring these entities into compliance. By the actions we take today, we affirm our commitment to strong, vigorous, and fair enforcement of the Commission’s rules.”

 

For a copy of this FCC release please see: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-295749A1.pdf

Below is a link to the new Enforcement Advisories page: http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Enforcement_Advisories/Welcome.html This and other helpful links can be found at EMCguy's Bookmarks on delicious.

Please visit the Compatible Electronics US certification page for other US related conformity assessment information.

 

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Monday, January 18, 2010

VCCI 1 year grace period for 1 GHz+ testing

The VCCI Council posted a notice on its web site at http://www.vcci.jp/vcci_e/topics/new091211.html detailing the planed implementation of the 1 GHz+ radiated emissions requirements. These requirements are based on CISPR22 Edition 5.

While the VCCI Council will begin enforcement of the new requirements on October 1, 2010, manufacturers will have the option of applying the old requirements until September 2011. The VCCI Council requests however that manufactures proceed with conformity to the new requirements on the original 2010 deadline date.

The VCCI Council gives justification for its decision based on the publication, August 21, 2009, in the Official Journal of the European Union, that extended the date of withdrawal of EN55022:1998 until September 30, 2011. EN55022:1998 is based on CISPR22 Edition 3, and does not contain requirements for testing above 1 GHz.

It is interesting to note that for product sold in the United States, testing above 1 GHz has been required for many years. In fact, Part 15.33 calls out that unintentional radiators can be required to be tested up to as high as 40 GHz.

What has been a major point of contention for some, is that no agreed method for site validation has been published for above 1 GHz for FCC testing. That being said, no significant reports of interference above 1 GHz from properly tested unintentional radiators have made the headlines either.

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Sunday, January 10, 2010

EN 55012:2007

As of 9/1/2010, the following specification replaces any previous version.

EN 55012:2007
Vehicles, boats and internal combustion engines — Radio disturbance characteristics
— Limits and methods of measurement for the protection of off-board
receivers
(CISPR 12:2007)

Friday, January 8, 2010

R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC HS Corrigendum

Cleveland (European Parliament constituency)

Image via Wikipedia

A new and amended list of Harmonized Standards for the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive, replacing the one issued 12/2/09, has been publish in the official journal of the European Union.

Please visit http://celectronics.com/pdf/OJlistRTTE121509.pdf for a copy of the OJ list.

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